Over the past week, I've been in a sorting mood. I've sorted out the kitchen, the laundry room, and have made a big impact on the garage ( to be finished this week!). It's wonderful when it's done and you find space on your shelves or empty cupboards! What a good feeling.

It's a refreshing way to start the New Year with things in order and well organized - but this applies to more than just your home. Instead of making resolutions this year, why not do a bit of sorting in all areas of your life. Let's make some room on the shelves and empty cupboards in our work, play, and love lives, so that in 2013 there is room to learn new things, expand, meet new people, try something different.....

For example:

what parts of my work can I sort out and discard that I no longer need, so there is room to take on a new project or learn new things?

How do I waste my "play" time and could I throw out some of that to give me room for more fun play?

What part of my exercise program do I no longer need so I can add a new aspect and challenge for myself?

In my relationships, do I need to sort out my time so I have more quality time with the special people in my life?

I want some room on the shelves and empty cupboards so that I can spend 2013 filling them up with things that are worthwhile and bring me happiness. So for the New Year, and onwards, I'll be sorting and making space for new things in my life.

Is it time for you to have a bit of a sort out and clear some space in certain aspects of your life, so there is room to expand, grow, and find more happiness? What will you make space for?

Travel snacks - Sweetsalt Crunch

I leave for England on Wednesday - two weeks, visiting family - and lots to catch up on. We have three new homes that family members have moved into since we were last there in February, so will enjoy seeing happy people in happy new homes....then there is my sister's 50th birthday to celebrate.....and then there are two adorable grandchildren to see and be amazed at how much they have changed since June! Never mind catching up with a few friends too......

Here is Evelina learning the difference between penguins and ducks, and Max dressed in his tuxedo ready for a party:

To prepare for the flight, I'm making a few yummy snacks. After bad experiences with airplane food when I'd ordered gluten free and they forgot it, I always take all my own food with me.

The first yummy snack I made today was a sweet and salty mix - my "Sweetsalt Crunch". However, at this rate, I may need to make another batch before Wednesday, as it is going down rather rapidly!

It's a lovely balance of sweetness and salty. Not too much of either. And gluten free, sugar free and dairy free. Here's the recipe:

Everything is tickety-boo

This week has been a little more challenging in terms of gratitude and feeling tickety-boo! I came home from Florida and seemed to bring with me a nasty non-seasonal influenza virus! It's laid me low all week - so I've been doing little but sleeping and coughing. However, I've had plenty of time for think about things that made a difference to my otherwise not so good week - so here are the things that reminded me that everything is still tickety-boo:

Cough, cough!

phone calls, texts and emails from family showing their love and care

a snuggly duvet and enveloping pillow

a new pair of pajamas that made me happy to be wearing them

a caring hubby

not thinking about food or having to decide meals

soaking in a warm bath

a good movie to pass the time

cooling on the throat watermelon

turning the corner and beginning to feel better!

hearing that my nephew passed his driving test

my first trip out of the house after 5 days and how exciting that felt (cabin fever???)!

I hope you've been feeling tickety-boo this week. And I know I'm going to be feeling even more tickety-boo next week :-D

By the way, I'm struggling with my blog and photos and wonder if any of you know an answer. Blogger won't let me upload any new photos. I've tried to check on picasa but it won't let me see my profile or change anything either. Have any of you other bloggers had blogger photo issues and have any suggestions?

I hope you'll take a moment to go and check it out. It tells you what's involved with cancer coaching and health coaching; the benefits of cancer coaching; what types of programs I offer; ideas on how to keep laughing when times get tough;